Laura

On March 8, 2015, Orlando City Soccer Club will take the field for the first time as a Major League Soccer team at the new Citrus Bowl. Operation #FillTheBowl is in full effect and tickets are selling out fast. Fortunately, the team has many community events scheduled for the week leading up to the season opener. Paid admission to kickoff week events includes an inaugural game ticket.

Soccer And The City
Tuesday, March 3 at 6 p.m. at Church Street
Tickets start at $50
Fun filled evening of cocktails and fashion. The runway will be filled with the latest styles, featuring a splash of purple and models that include the Orlando City roster.

Purple Pride 5k
Thursday, March 5
$30 race fee
Join the Lion Nation for a 5K run through downtown Orlando,and show off your purple pride.

Soccer Under the Stars
Friday, March 6 at 6:30 p.m. at Lake Eola
Free event (no MLS ticket)
Kick off the weekend with ‘Kicking and Screaming,’ a hilarious fan favorite. This is a free event, with food trucks, popcorn, and games for the whole family to enjoy in the heart of downtown Orlando.

Record Breaking Pub Crawl
Saturday, March 7 at 3 p.m., Downtown Orlando
Tickets are $35
Break the Guinness World Record for the World’s Largest Pub Crawl featuring the official OC Pubs: Wall Street Plaza, Elixer and Harry Buffalo.

Orlando City SC vs NYCFC
Sunday, March 8 at 5 pm., Orlando Citrus Bowl
Make sure you are one of the 65,000 fans to #FilltheBowl at the inaugural MLS match.

Four of Orlando’s popular I-Drive attractions are banning together to offer a multi-ticket deal. CSI: The Experience, Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, Ripley’s Orlando Odditorium and WonderWorks are now offering a new I-Drive Four Pass ticket that allows guests to visit all four attractions for a discounted price.

If you plan to spend a lot of time along I-Drive, this pass will help you save time and some money during your trip. An adult I-Drive Four Pass ticket costs $74.99 (plus tax), which is a savings of more than $12 compared to purchasing an adult ticket to each attraction individually. A children’s ticket (ages 12 and under) costs $54.99, saving more than $6. Children under three are free. Tickets are good for one year from the date of purchase and cannot be combined with any other discount or offer.

WonderWorks is an indoor amusement park for the mind, featuring more than 100 interactive exhibits for all ages to experience, including a ropes course and 4D motion theater ride.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Orlando Odditorium is the only place in Orlando where visitors will find shrunken heads, an authentic vampire killing kit, a shooting gallery and a spinning vortex tunnel among the hundreds of oddities, exhibits and artifacts.

Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition tells the dramatic story of the most legendary ocean liner ever built. The 25,000 square foot exhibit features artifacts recovered from Titanic’s wreck site 2.5 miles beneath the ocean’s surface. Guest can walk her decks, peer into her cabins and meet some of the passengers and crew.

CSI: The Experience puts visitors in the role of crime scene investigator, collecting clues and analyzing evidence in lab rooms. After reviewing all the evidence, they submit their report to Gil Grissom to see if they have successfully solved the crime and put the killer behind bars.

If you are a Florida Resident, now is the time to visit Walt Disney World theme parks in Orlando. Florida Residents can save big with the 3-Day Discover Disney Ticket. With this Florida Resident discount, you can enjoy 3 days at Walt Disney World theme parks for $139 through June 5, 2015 (purchase by June 1, 2015). Add on a 4th day for just $20. The best part is you can use the pass on non-consecutive days (some block-out dates apply) and can apply the cost to upgrade to an Annual Pass before expiration. The 3-Day Discover Disney Ticket gives you access to these Disney Theme Parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Free SunRail parking will be available at the following stations along the corridor: Sand Lake Road, Maitland, Altamonte Springs, Longwood, Lake Mary, Sanford and DeBary.

Saturday, March 21, and Sunday, March 22, departing times:

Last train leaving Winter Park heads northbound @ 4:41 p.m.

Last train leaving Winter Park heads southbound @ 3:36 p.m.

The Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival is one of the nation’s oldest, largest and most prestigious juried outdoor art festivals. It has been voted #1 in ArtFairCalendar.com’s Top 10 list of “America’s Best Juried Fine Art Fair” and ranked #1 in the southeast and #5 in the nation in Sunshine Artist Magazine’s 2014 list of “Best 200 Fine Art and Design Shows.”

Walmart $5 Day is back at the Orlando Science Center on Sunday, March 1. For just $5, you will experience all OSC has to offer from exhibits and hands-on activities to giant-screen films. General admission fees are usually $19 for adults and $13 for kids — a family of four will save $44!

Discover the latest traveling exhibit “Dora & Diego — Let’s Explore”; see the newest 3-D film “James Cameron’s Deepsea Challenge 3D”; catch the newly released giant-screen spectacular “Humpback Whales”; and experience four floors of hands-on exhibits and live activities that will engage the family and inspire their curiosity.

The discount admission is offered by Walmart Foundation. The $5 admission makesit possible for the Central Florida community to visit the Orlando Science Center, inspiring science learning for life at a significant discount.

For every short stack of buttermilk pancakes served on National Pancake Day between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m., IHOP guests are invited to make a voluntary donation to Greater Orlando CMN Hospitals to celebrate this “Decade of Giving.” Since 2006, IHOP National Pancake Day has raised approximately $16 million to provide life-saving treatment, programs and medical equipment for child patients — including the 250,000 children treated annually at the two benefiting Greater Orlando CMN Hospitals.

IHOP locations supporting Greater Orlando Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals can be found in six counties throughout Florida, including Brevard, Osceola, Orange, Seminole, Volusia and Flagler.

According to Priceline.com, Orlando is the No. 1 “hot spot” for travelers in 2015. After a multi-year surge of blockbuster expansions at Orlando’s world-class theme parks, Orlando’s retail, dining and entertainment scene is following suit in 2015. Visit Orlando, the destination’s official tourism association, uncovered 15 new openings 2015 travelers will be among the first to experience:

INTERNATIONAL DRIVEIn the heart of Orlando’s tourism corridor, International Drive will see significant development in 2015 with the addition of several retail, dining and entertainment venues.

I-Drive 360, a new entertainment complex from Merlin Entertainments, will open a trio of new attractions. At the heart of the complex,The Orlando Eye is a 400-foot-tall (12.92-meter) observation wheel providing breathtaking views of Central Florida in all directions within fully enclosed, air-conditioned glass capsules.Madame Tussauds, the world’s most famous celebrity wax attraction, offers visitors the ultimate fame experience with its signature red carpet treatment. SEA LIFE Orlando delivers a new wave of underwater adventures with beautiful displays of colorful fish, sharks, jellyfish, sea horses and more, that turn the traditional aquarium observation on its head. The Yardhouse, Tin Roof and more retail, restaurants and entertainment yet to be announced, will add to the experience.

Orlando welcomes one of South Beach’s hottest dance clubs with the addition of Mangos Tropical Café. With 55,000 square feet (5,109 square meters) of entertainment space, the Orlando location is a massive restaurant and nightlife destinationoffering high-energy entertainment for a wide variety of tastes. Guests will enjoy Salsa, Bachatta, Reggae and Pop performances with Floribbean Cuisine and tropical cocktails.

Escapology Orlandobrings a new kind of entertainment to Orlando with its first U.S. location. The attraction challenges guests to be their own heroes in a thrilling game of adventure and mystery. Teams of up to six players are locked in a themed room with just 60 minutes to combine clues, solve puzzles and discover the key to escape.

Nearby International Drive, The Florida Mall takes coloring to a new level with the opening of Crayola Experience. The 70,000-square-foot (6,503-square-meter) attraction will offer 25 hands-on activities.

The list of dining and entertainment options unique to Orlando continues to grow with the addition of The Whiskeyon Sand Lake Road, welcoming lovers of gourmet burgers, craft cocktails and rock ‘n roll fun. With over 100 brands of whiskey for the thirsty connoisseur, the venue will also host live entertainment, from musical guests to head-to-head “food fights,” where local chefs will pit recipe against recipe.
THEME PARKS

Walt Disney World Resort is transforming Downtown Disney into Disney Springs doubling the number of shops, restaurants and other venues. The new area will open in phases starting in 2015 and include, Morimoto Asia, a one-of-a-kind dining experience created by Chef Masaharu Morimoto, of Iron Chef America fame. For the master chef’s first pan-Asian dining experience, Morimoto Asia’s extraordinary, 36-foot (11-meter) tall, two-story layout includes a vast range of areas to explore including open terraces, a grand hall, private rooms, long bar, cocktail lounge, waterside seating and more.

The BOATHOUSE is an upscale, waterfront-dining restaurant at Disney Springs that will immerse guests with experiences beyond the cuisine. Guests can listen to live music or take a romantic Captain’s guided tour aboard The Venezia, a beautifully crafted 40-foot (12-meter) wooden Italian Water Taxi featuring champagne toasts and chocolate-covered strawberries. The BOATHOUSE will be showcased in an expansive restaurant with three distinctive bars, one built over the water. Guests will enjoy a gourmet menu served daily until 2 a.m. featuring steaks, chops, fresh seafood and a raw bar.

STK Orlandoblends two concepts into one—the modern steakhouse and a chic lounge. Unique features include a live DJ, high-energy atmosphere and a sleek environment designed to encourage guests to interact and mingle. STK Orlando boasts the only rooftop dining venue in Disney Springs.

LEGOLAND Florida Resortwill open a new land called Heartlake City, set to welcome guests this summer. The expansion will include a horse-themed disc coaster called Mia’s Riding Adventure, an interactive show titled ‘Friends to the Rescue’ and new shops inside the Heartlake Mall.

The Phillips Center for the Performing Artsdelivers a stellar lineup of 2015 entertainment for its inaugural season: Broadway productions including Disney’s Newsies, Motown the Musical, Pippin and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast; big-name musicians John Mellancamp, Jason Mraz and Idina Menzel; and comedians Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno and Bill Maher will complement an ongoing Jazz Roots series and Orlando Ballet season.

Orlando City Soccer Clubis Major League Soccer’s newest expansion team set to debut in 2015 with global soccer icon, Kaká. The Orlando City Soccer Club will kick-off their first MLS season at the newly rebuilt Orlando Citrus Bowl Stadium. After a $207 million reconstruction, sports fans will enjoy an all-new lower bowl with more legroom, improved broadband and Wi-Fi coverage and expanded concession with healthy and gluten-free options.

An influx of restaurants will join new downtown Orlando venues in 2015, including: Two Chefs Seafood, featuring comfort food and seafood from former chefs of Emeril’s Orlando and The Palm Restaurant; and North Quarter Tavern, a chef-driven neighborhood tavern by the team behind downtown Orlando’s power-lunch staple, Citrus Restaurant.

Date Night at Leu GardensOn starlit evenings, you and your sweetie can snuggle up on a blanket in the beautiful 50-acre Harry P. Leu Gardens. Hundreds of lovebirds flock to Date Night at Leu Gardens on the first Friday of most months when the outdoor screen shows romantic flicks and blockbuster hits. Tickets are just $6.

Wine Room at Winter ParkWine aficionados and newbies alike will enjoy a DIY wine tasting experience at The Wine Room at Winter Park, where the Enomatic Wine Serving System gives guests the chance to sample selections of over 150 different types of wine simply with the touch of a button. Couples load up a debit card with cash and then wander through the living room-esque locale sipping wines and noshing on gourmet cheese plates.

Wednesday Night Pitcher ShowArguably one of the prettiest bars in Orlando, Enzian’s Eden Bar hosts the weekly Wednesday Night Pitcher Show, a laid-back cocktail party featuring a retro classic film on a giant outdoor screen. Jell-O shot movie trivia add to the fun.

Lakeridge Winery
Travel through the rolling hills of Clermont for an unexpected Florida wine experience. One weekend every month, theLakeridge Winery entertains visitors with free (or $2 donation entry) events featuring live music, artist vendors, crafts and food. You can also stop by any day of the week for complimentary wine tours and tastings.

1st Thursdays at Orlando Museum of Art
The first Thursday of each month, the Orlando Museum of Artshowcases a new theme of art by local artists accompanied by live music, a cash bar and café with selections by area restaurants. Tickets are $10 and include admission to the museum’s featured exhibitions.

Bach Festival SocietyAdd a little culture to your date night calendar with free community events by the Bach Festival Society. Check their website for special events throughout the year in Winter Park including one of our favorites, Spring Pops in the Park.

Farmers’ MarketsPick out fresh flowers, taste local fare and stock up on produce to cook dinner together that evening. Our favorite markets are Winter Park on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and downtown Orlando on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

RDV ice-skatingDon’t forget your sweaters and socks when you visit to RDV’s Ice Den, where the Olympic size ice skating rink is kept at a chilly 50 degrees Fahrenheit. On Friday and Saturday evenings DJs fill the rink with TOP 40 tunes for the coupled-up skaters gliding across the ice. Skate rentals, as well as hot chocolate, are available on site.

Lake Eola Swan BoatsPaddle out on Lake Eola via a swan boat during the next warm evening. Boat rentals, which cost $15 per half hour, can be secured at the swan dock across from Relax Grill until 7pm Sunday – Tuesdays, and until 10pm Wednesdays – Saturdays. Reservations are not required.

Picnic
There’s nothing more romantic than a picnic, especially in a picturesque setting. Fortunately, Orlando has many to choose from such as Lake Eola, Cranes Roost, Central Park or Azalea Park in Winter Park. Pack a spread of finger foods, a bottle of wine and blanket for a relaxing day at the park.

Moonlight Walking Tour at Greenwood Cemetery
If your date appreciates history and isn’t afraid of the dark, stroll through the Moonlight Walking Tourat the historic Greenwood Cemetery. Explore the 100-acre cemetery with visits to 100 graves of notable individuals in Orlando’s history like T.G. Lee, James Parramore and Joseph Bumby. The tour is free, but advance registration is required.

Old Sugar Mill Grill at De Leon Springs
Start off your morning by making your own pancakes at the Old Sugar Mill Grill located next to the natural swimming hole of De Leon Springs. The server will provide you with the batter and toppings for you to cook on your own griddle. After your meal, take a dip in the chilly springs or take a walk around the park.

StargazingTake your date night out of this world, literally, with a visit to the Planetarium at Seminole State College where weekly interactive shows bring thousands of stars and the stories behind them into clear view. Cost per person is typically $6.

Visit Mount Dora
With quaint streets, boutiques, and small-town charm, Mount Dora is one of the most romantic towns in Central Florida. There are plenty of special events throughout the year like the Mount Dora Art Stroll, Lighting of Mount Dora during the holidays and art and craft festivals; but any day is a good time to check out this local gem.

SAK Comedy Lab
The couple who laughs together stays together. Get your giggles at SAK Comedy Lab where a professional ensemble of improv actors graces the stage every night. Tickets can start as low as $5 each for select shows.

Friday Night LiveThe Eddie Rose Amphitheatre at Uptown Altamonte hosts local bands for Friday Night Live, a weekly live music most Friday nights beginning at 7 or 8pm. Free and open to all music lovers, the outdoor concert features an ever-changing line-up of musical styles, from calypso to rock to jazz. Afterward, take a stroll through Cranes Roost Park, where a 1-mile lakeside trail winds through the 45-acre park.

Trivia NightsEngage the heart and the mind with a little mental stimulation on your next date night: Earth Trivia is played at bars and restaurants all over the Orlando area seven nights a week. The game is divided into rounds of ten random questions that you answer as a team. You write your answers on the sheets provided and then hand them in at the end of each round. Winners are announced and prizes (usually gift certificates to the restaurant) are given away.

The Great OutdoorsThink about renting a canoe at Wekiwa Springs, a tranquil and untouched state park north of Orlando where a beautiful spring and river gives couples the option for swimming and kayaking. Rent tubes and float through the natural spring at Kelly Park/Rock Springs Run. Or perhaps rent some bikes and head for a ride along the West Orange Trail or Seminole Wekiva Trail.

Lake Mary WineArt Wednesday
Lake Mary WineArt Wednesday features local artists, the Daily City Food Truck Bazaar and a beer and wine garden on the first Wednesday evening of every month. Walk along the sidewalk lined with displays by local artists, sip on wine and listen to live music in Central Park next to Lake Mary City Hall. Entry is free but bring cash for unique finds, food and drinks. The event is just a short walk from the Lake Mary SunRail station.

Thornton Park Wine & Art Walk
On the second Thursday of every month, celebrate the arts with an evening of food, wine, shopping and showcases by Orlando-based artists at the Thornton Park Wine & Art Walk. For $10, you’ll receive a wristband, wine glass and a map of locations where you will be greeted with a complimentary pour of wine.

Sanford Art WalkStroll through art venues, mingle with Central Florida artists, and enjoy live music at the Sanford Art Walkon the fourth Friday of every month. While in downtown Sanford, take in the views of Lake Monroe from the Riverwalk and stop at one of the best German restaurants in the United States, Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Cafe. Prost with Das Boot, share a gigantic pretzel and enjoy live authentic German music.

Rent bikes in downtown Orlando
For $5 an hour, you can explore the City Beautiful with your date by renting bikes through the Orlando Bike Share program. Simply reserve a bike online or through the app, release the bike to ride and then return at any one of the designated stations.

Disney’s Boardwalk
Take a step back in time with an evening stroll along Disney’s Boardwalk, a quarter-mile promenade boasting endless charm and architecture inspired by 20th century coastal cities like Coney Island and New Jersey. Watch street entertainers, enjoy an ice cream cone or Saltwater taffy from Seashore Sweets’ and tour unique shops, restaurants and nightlife venues.

Why not be romantic AND budget savvy this Valentine’s Day in Orlando? We’ve selected a long list of inexpensive things to do to for Valentine’s Day in Orlando. Whether you connect through outdoor adventures or more romantic gestures, we have date ideas for whatever floats your boat. Most of the Valentine’s Day are free.

Bach Festival Society: The Sweetest SoundsBring a picnic basket, spread out a blanket and spend the afternoon with your sweetheart listening to a free Valentine’s concert on Park Avenue.
February 8, 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Sanford’s Alive After 5Free street party with live music, local artists and food vendors.
February 12, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Food and beverage sampling tickets are $7.

Popcorn Flicks in the ParkPack a picnic and blankets for a free movie in Winter Park’s Central Park. The romantic feature is, “The Philadelphia Story.”
February 12, 7 p.m.

Lakeridge Winery Winefest XXVSip and savor the results from a bountiful harvest, enjoy live music, free tours, tastings, and arts and crafts vendors.
February 13 & 14, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
February 15, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Entry is a $2 donation to benefit the South Lake Chamber of Commerce.

Old Florida Outdoor Festival
Celebrate some of the best Florida outdoorsy activities and listen to country concerts by Montgomery Gentry (Feb. 14) and Joe Nichols (Feb. 15).
February 14 & 15
Tickets are $15 in advance.

Valentine’s Day Stroll at Leu GardensStroll through the beautiful gardens under the moonlight. Bring a picnic, wine and blanket to enjoy an evening of live music.
February 14, 7 p.m.
Advance tickets are $17 per person, plus tax.

Music at the Casa
Visit the historic Casa Feliz for a free tour and live music.
February 15, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Enjoy a weekend outside celebrating some of the best Florida activities and entertainment February 14-15, 2015 in Apopka. The Old Florida Outdoor Festival will feature birding, fishing, hunting, Highwaymen art, kids’ activities, chili cook-off, a local farmer’s market, beer tents and more. The kids can jump on a bounce house and meet animals at a petting zoo. Stay through the evening for concerts headlined by national country music recording artists. General admission is $15 in advance ($20 day of event) and $5 for kids (under 5 are free).

A colorful array of art will fill the quaint downtown streets of Mount Dora February 7-8, 2014 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mount Dora’s annual Art Festival is one the best and biggest festivals in the area attracting hundreds of artists from around the world. Stroll through endless rows of fine art, including oil paintings, watercolors, acrylics, clay and photography. Enjoy live music at a main stage in Donnelly Park, grab lunch at a local restaurant and soak up the views of Lake Dora. This is a very popular event, so get there early to find parking. Entry is free.

SeaWorld Orlando is offering a special BOGO deal for Annual Passes. When you buy one annual pass to SeaWorld, you will get one free. This BOGO deal is available when purchased by February 28, 2015. One annual pass is $156 and you can add on access to the Aquatica water park for $24 more. Pass holders enjoy these theme park perks: 1-year unlimited access to SeaWorld Orlando, free parking, 10% off food, drinks and merchandise and discounts for accompanying guests.

If you have a little one in your house, the Preschool Pass has returned at SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay theme parks. Kids five and under can explore the depths of the ocean and the wonders of Africa for FREE with their own special pass now through December 31, 2015.

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